🇮🇳 Major (2022): The Story of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks

Discover the real story behind the movie Major, based on the life of NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who sacrificed his life during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A tribute to a national hero.

🇮🇳 Major (2022): The Story of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks

The film Major (2022), directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka and starring Adivi Sesh, is more than a biopic — it’s a soul-stirring tribute to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a National Security Guard (NSG) commando who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

While India watched the horror unfold on live TV, Major takes us behind the scenes — into the mind of a soldier, a son, and a savior.

👤 Who Was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan?

• Born: 15 March 1977, Kozhikode, Kerala
• Family: Son of K. Unnikrishnan (ISRO officer) and Dhanalakshmi
• Schooling: Frank Anthony Public School, Bengaluru
• Joined NDA: 1995 (87th Course)
• Commissioned: Into 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, 12 June 1999
• Joined NSG (Black Cats): 2007, as Training Officer and Team Commander

Career Highlights

• Served in Operation Vijay during the Kargil War (1999)
• Participated in counter-insurgency ops in Jammu and Kashmir
• Trained in High Risk Hostage Rescue and Urban Warfare with NSG
• Posted at NSG hub, Manesar, Haryana, when 26/11 occurred

26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks – Timeline of Heroism

26 November 2008, 9:30 PM – Mumbai Under Siege

• 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrate Mumbai via sea.
• Begin coordinated attacks at:
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
  • Oberoi-Trident Hotel
  • Leopold Café
  • Nariman House
  • Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

🧨 27 November – NSG Deployed

• NSG, India’s elite anti-terror force, is airlifted from Delhi to Mumbai.
• Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan leads the 51 Special Action Group to neutralize terrorists at the Taj Hotel.

The Taj Operation – Inside the Hotel of Fire

🔽 Infiltration and Rescue

• NSG begins the operation at Taj Hotel, where terrorists are holed up with hostages.
• Major Sandeep leads his team through narrow hallways and fire-ridden corridors.

🛡️ Protecting His Comrade

• NSG commando Sunil Kumar Yadav is shot during a floor sweep.
• Major Sandeep directs his team to evacuate Yadav, saying: “Do not come up, I will handle them.”
• He goes in solo pursuit of the terrorists.

💔 Final Stand

• In close-quarters combat, Major Sandeep is fatally shot.
• His body is recovered the next day.
• He dies saving several hostages, fighting till his last breath.

🎖️ Honors and Legacy

🎥 Major (2022) – Film Overview

🎭 Fact vs Fiction

🧠 Character Traits of a Real Hero

• Fearless: Entered a building under fire to rescue others
• Selfless: Sacrificed himself for a fellow soldier
• Disciplined: A product of NDA and NSG’s toughest training
• Patriotic: Motivated by service, not recognition

💬 Iconic Dialogues from the Film

“Don’t come up, I will handle them.”
(Based on his real last words to his team.)

“A soldier doesn’t think of dying, he thinks of saving.”
(Captures the spirit of his sacrifice.)

📚 Sources and Research Materials

• NSG Operation Archives
• “The Siege: The Attack on the Taj” – by Adrian Levy & Cathy Scott-Clark
• Interviews with:
  • Unnikrishnan family
  • Surviving NSG commandos
• Press trust reports from November–December 2008
• Ashoka Chakra award citation

💡 Untold Facts About Major Sandeep

• He was an animal lover and avid reader of Indian mythology.
• His last mobile activity was a call to his mother just before the mission.
• He once saved a Kashmiri girl during an encounter in Kupwara, shielding her with his own body.
• At NDA, his nickname was “Selfless Sandeep” for always helping juniors.

🕊️ Message of the Film

Major is not just about a uniform, gun, or glory. It’s a personal story of loss and duty — showing how soldiers are human beings first, with families, fears, and fierce resolve.

🎞️ Impact and Reception

• Critics praised Adivi Sesh’s immersive performance.
• NSG officials and Sandeep’s parents called it a “dignified and heartfelt portrayal.”
• Film grossed over ₹64 crore worldwide, despite releasing in multiple languages with limited screens.

🧭 Lessons from Major Sandeep’s Life

• Courage is contagious.
• True heroism lies in self-sacrifice, not recognition.
• India is secure because of silent warriors who never ask for fame.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan didn’t live to witness the medals or tributes. He lived and died by a code: Service Before Self. The film Major immortalizes a hero whose name should be spoken in every classroom, not just on anniversaries.

Also read: Shershaah – Capt. Vikram Batra’s bravery in Kargil

Last Updated on Thursday, May 15, 2025 2:02 pm by Admin

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